Lighting fixture



LIGHTING FIXTURE I Filed June, 2o. 1927 A Trop/WW.

Patented `uly 9, 1929.

`UNITED STATES CHARLES 1. ENGLISH,

OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

LIGHTING FIXTURE.

Application ined June 2o,

This invention relates to electric light fixtures and more particularlyto that type of fixture which is provided with a shade and shade holder.i

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved electric lightfixture of the character in question which is simple in construction andcan be assembled by an ordinary workman in a minimum period of time.

Another object is to provide an improved means for rigidly securing theseveral parts of a light fixture together so as to prevent any relativemovement therebetween.

Another object is to provid-e in such a fixture au improved means foradjusting the lamp socket relative to the shade holder.

Other objects more or less incidental or ancillary to the foregoing willbe apparent from an examination of the following description inconnection with the accompanying drawings.

Tn the drawings:

`Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view showing the preferred form off myimproved light fixture.

1i 2 is a side elevation showing an initial assembly of cert-ain of theparts.

Fi 3 is a side elevation showing the locking collar and pipe section inassembled relation.

Fig. 4 is a top plan of the parts shown in Fig. 3.

5 is a view similar to Fig. 1 illustrating a modified form ot my device.

Referring first to the construction illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4inclusive, my improved electric light fixture which is designated in itsentirety by 1 suspended from any suitable support such as the ceiling ofthe room, by a'chain 2. The fixture, broadly speaking, comprises ametallic shade holder 3 which may be ot any suitable shape or size, aglass shade 4, secured to the lower end of the holder 3, and a socketunit 5 comprising a socket member 6 and a supporting yoke 7 whichcarries the socket member at its lower end.

Referring in further detail to the construction illustrated, 8 indicatesa threaded nipple or short section of pipe which has the screw threads 9cut on its exterior surface and throughout its length. A locking collar10 is threaded on the pipe section 8 and is provided with a plurality oftooth-like radial projections 11, 11. The projections are formedintegral with the collar 10, and their ends extend outwardly andupwardly there- 1927. seri-a1 No. 199,891.

from. The supporting yoke 7 comprises a central part 12 which isprovided with a centrally arranged opening 14 through which the pipesection 8 extends, and a plurality of depending parts or legs 15, 15formed with apertures 16, 16 for the reception of the tooth-likeprojections 11, 11. The outer ends of the tooth-like projections extendupwardly'and beyond the depending parts 15, 15. The projections 11, 11are held against turning movement relative to the yoke member 7 duetotheir interlocking engagement with the sides of the apertures 16, 16.

The shade holder 3 is also provided with a centrally arranged o ening 17through which the upper end o the pipesectionn 8 extends. When inassembled position the under side of the said holder will engage theupwardly extending tooth-like projections 11, 11. The length of theprojections 11,11 is such as to insure a positive engagement with theunder side ofthe shade holder, and at the same time permit thc shadeholder to rest closely adjacent to the central part l2 ot the yoke (seeFig. l). Their length will vary with the size and shape of theparticular shade holder used, as will be readily undei-stood.

A nut 18 is screwed to the upper end of the pipe section 8. This nutwhen screwed down will force the shade holder against the ends of theprojections 11, 11 and will cause their sharp edges to bite into themetal of the shade holder thereby locking the shade holder 3, collar 10,yoke 7 and pipe section 8 against any relative turningmovement. Inaddition, the nut 18 may, if desired, be provided with the usual setscrew- 18L to engage the pipe section 8. A suspension loop 19 is formedon the upper end of lthe nut`18 and is secured to the lower end of theflexible supporting chain 2. The nut 18 is provided with a passage 20.The lead wires 21, 21` for conducting the electric current extenddownwardly through the passage 20 in the nut, and the bore of the pipesection 8 and are connected at their lower ends to the customaryterminals on the socket member 6.

An electric light bulb 22 is secured within the socket member 6 andisarranged centrally within the shade 4, as shown. In or- `der to permitthe use of bulbs of different sizes and shapes, the socket unit 5 maybe, and in the construction illustrated is so constructed as topermit a`vertical adjustment Y and is provided at its outer end with a se-y riesof vertically spaced openings 23, 23. Each of the parts b is provided atits upper end with a screw threaded opening 24 which is adapt-ed toregister with any one of the vertically spaced openings 23, 23.

A., The parts 15a and 15b are firmly secured together by screws 25, 25fitting within the L The ring registering openings. The lower end ofeach part 15b is bent outward to form an attaching foot 15c and a screwthreaded opening 15er is formed in each of the feet. The sock-A etmember 6 is secured within a supporting ring 26 which is provided at itsouter edge with a plurality of openings 26@L which are adapted toregister with the openings 15d. 26 is detachably secured to the feet 15cby means of screws 27 litting the registering openings. y

The part 6 has been referred to as a socket member and the part 26 as asupporting ring, 'and it is to be understood that in so far as certainaspects of my invention are concerned any suitable formof socket may beemployed and that the socket may be secured. to the depending parts ofthe yoke in any convenientvmanner. However, it is to be noted 'that inthe specific construction illustrated the particular socket shown isWhatis known/in the trade as a sign receptacle and the ring 26 is whatis known as a sign receptacle cover, these parts be@ ing designedprimarily for `use rin electric signs. VThesign receptacle is nothingmore than a tWo piece socketI which is secured together by meansofmating screw threaded parts. The sign receptacle cover is firmly clampedbetween the separable pieces of the sign receptacle as they are securedtogether. I prefer to use the sign receptacle and sign receptacle coveras they are standard parts made in large volume and available atrelatively loW cost. i Y

In assembling the fixture,.the collar 1() is threaded on the pipe.section 8 to about the position shown in Figs. 1 and 3. The socket -unit5 having been assembled with the desired adjustment of parts, the upperend of the pipe section is inserted through the opening 14 in thecentral part 12 of the yoke and at the same time the projections 11, 11are guided through their respective apertures 16, 16 in the dependingparts 15, 15. A rubber band 28 is then wrapped around the outerends ofthe' projections 11, 11 and the mid portions thereof are permitted tolie fiat against the upper surface of the central part 12 of the yoke.The rubber band will serve to hold thepipe section, collar and socketunit in proper relation to one another, thereby facilitating theassembly of the remaining parts of the fixture. The lead wires are thenpassed through the bore of the pipe section 8 and are connected at theirlower ends to the terminals cn the socket member 6. Thelooseends of thelead wires are passed through the opening 17 in the shade holder. Theupper end of the pipe section is then inserted through the opening 17 inthe shade holder. The lead wires are inserted through the opening 20 inthe clamping nut 18 and the nut screwed down on the pipe section untilthe shade holder and projections 11, 11 are in positive lockingengagement. This act-ion may crush the rubber band; but it doesnt matteras it has already performed its intended function. The bulb 22 is thenscrewed into the socket, and the glass shade 4 attached to the shadeholder.

In Fig. 5 I have shown a modiiied form of construction, which issomewhat similar to that shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive. As in theformer construction, I provide an exteriorly threaded pipe section 30which extends through a centrally arranged opening 31 in a shade holder32. A collar 33 having a screw threaded opening 34 lis threaded on thepipe section 30 and has a plurality of tooth-like projections 35, 35formed on its periphery which engage the under side of the shade holder32. A clamping nut 36 is threaded to the upper end of the pipe sectionand when screwed down will force the shade holder 32 against theprojections 35. 35, thereby providing an eilective means for locking theshade holder, collar and pipe section against relative movement. In thisconstruction thc socket member is carried directly by the lower end ofthe pipe section. A socket member 37 is provided with a screw threadedopening 38 which receives the lower end of the pipe section. The socketmember 37 is screwed upwardly on the pipe section 30 and hard againstthe lower surface of the collar so as to provide a lock nut actionbetween the parts. In addition, the socket 37 may, if desired, beprovided with the usual set screw 3S) to engage the pipe section 30.

In practice it has been found that it is highly desirable that thesocket member andshade holder be secured against any relative turning`movement. This is especially true when the fixture is suspended by meansof ieXible cord or chain, for in such a case it is necessary, inscrewing and unscrewing the lamp, for the workman to grasp the shadeholder in one hand and the lamp in the other. In prior proposals thisrequirement has been met by sweating the lamp socket and securing nut tothe pipe section. That is to say, the threaded pipe section is heat edsomewhat and some suitable substance such as sealing wax is applied tothe lower part thereof. The lamp socket is thenscrcived on `and thusirnily secured when the wax sets., provided the work is carefully done.rlhe pipe section is then passed through the central aperture of the.shade holder, 'the pipe section heated somewhat at its upper end, waxapplied and the securing nut screwed down against the shade holder. rlheabove described construction and method of procedure requires arelatively large amount ot time and in practice is not always citeetive.

In my improved construction, the locking collar with its tooth-likeprojections biting into the under side of the shade holder provides anctl'ective means for lockingthe pipe section, collar and shade holderagainst relative movement. In the construction shown in Figs. l to 4 thesocket member is held against any turning movement relative to the pipesection due to the interlocking engagement between the depending partsot the yoke and the tooth-like projections. In the construction shown inFie. 5 the socket member is screwed tightly against the lower portion etthe locking collar and as a result provides an etlective locl: nutaction betweenthe parts. It will thus be seen that in both forms ofconstruction the socket member is locked with relation to the shadeholder thus facilitating the insertion and removal ot' the light bulbs.In addition, either oii the forms illustrated can be assembled in aminimum period. ot time.-

Furthermore, the parts of the structure are very simple and can beproduced at low cost. `By securing the supporting ring 26 te thedepending parts ot the yoke by tastenings which are readily accessibleby simply removing` the shade, I have provided a construction Whichpermits the socket member and supporting ring to be dismounted andaccess had to the conductor terminals without disassembling the otherparts ot the fixture. `The provision ot the vertically adjustablesupporting yoke permits my im,- proved device to be used with bulbs ot'diti'erent sizes;

As previously indicated various modifications oit. the device as hereindisclosed can be made without departing from the invention, the scope otwhich is indicated by the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. In a light tixture, the combination ot a shade helder having anopening therethrough; an exteriorly threaded pipe section extendingthrough the said opening; a collar threaded on the said pipe sectionintermediate its ends; the said collar having toothlike projectionsformed on the periphery thereoit engaging one side of the said shadeholder; a clamping device threaded on the said pipe section at theopposite side ot they said shade holder for forcing the shade hold- `eragainst the said projections whereby the shade holder; pipe section andcollar are locked against turning movement relative to each other; and alamp socket supported by the pipe section and secured against turning inrelation thereto, by the said collar.

2. In a light fixture, the combination of a `shade holder having anopening therethrough; an exteriorly threaded pipe section extendingthrough the said opening; a collar threaded en the said pipe sectionintermediate its ends; the said collar having tooth-like projectionsformed on the periphery thereof engaging one side of the said shadeholder; a clamping device threaded on the said pipe section at theopposite side of the said shade holder for forcing the shade holderagainst the said projections whereby the shade holder, pipe section andcollar are locked against turning movement relative to each other; alamp socket supported by the pipe section and secured against turning inrelation thereto by the said collar; and flexible means :for suspendingthe said fixture.

In a light iixture; the combination ot a shade holder having an openingtherethrougli; a yoke comprising a central part having an openingtherethrough and parts depending therefrom; an exteriorly threaded pipesection extending through the opening in the said central part and theopening in the shade holder; a collar threaded on the pipe sectionsbelow the said yoke member and having tooth-like projections termedthereon engaging the under side oi the said shade holder7 the said yokeand collar having an interlocking engagement to prevent turning movementrelative to each other; a clamping device threaded on the said pipesection above the said shade holder for forcing the shade holderdownwardly against the said projections whereby the shade holder; pipesection, collar and yoke are locked against turning movement rela.- tiveto each other; and a lamp socket tixedly secured to the said dependingparts et the yoke.

4l. In a light iixture; the combination et a shade holder having anopening therethrough; a yoke comprising a central part having an openingtl'ierethrough and parts depending therefrom; an exteriorly threadedpipe section extending through the opening in the said central part andthe opening in the shade holder; a collar threaded on the pipe sectionbelow the said yoke member and having tooth-like projections formedthereon engaging the under side et the said. shade holder; the said yokeand collar having aninterlocking engagement to prevent turningmovementrelative to each other; a clamping device threaded on the saidpipe section above the said shade holder for forcing the shade holderdownwardly against lill the said projections, whereby the shade holdl eri e section collar and oke are locked `ably securing the said lampsocket to the depending parts of thesaid yoke, so that the lamp socketmay be adjusted vertically with relation'to the said pipe section but isheld against turning movement relative thereto.

5. In a light fixture, the combination of a yoke comprising a centralpart having an opening therethrough and parts depending therefrom; anexteriorly threaded pipe section extending through the said opening inthe yoke; a coilar threaded on the said pipe section below the said yokeand having tooth-like projections formed thereon, the said yoke andcollar having an interlocking engagement so' as to prevent relativeturning movement; means engaging the said projections for temporarilyholding the said pipe section, yoke-and collar in assembled relation; ashade holder having an opening therethrough receiving the upperVextended e end ot the said pipe section; a clamping device threaded onthe said pipe section above the said shade holder for forcing the saidshade holder downwardly against the said projections; anda lamp socketfixedly secured to the depending parts ol the said yoke.

6. In a light iixture, the combination of a yoke comprising a centralpart having an opening therethrough; and parts depending therefrom; anexteriorly threaded pipe see-` tion extending through the said openingin the central part of the yoke; `a collar threaded on the said pipesection below said yoke and having projections formed thereon having aninterlocking engagement with the yoke; means comprising a rubber bandengaging the said projections for temporarily holding the said pipesection; yoke and collar in` assembled relation; a shade holder havingan opening therein receiving the upper extended end of the said pipesection; a clamping device threaded on the upper end of the said pipesection above the said shade holder for forcing the latter downwardlyagainst the said projections; and a lamp socket fixedly secured to thedepending parts of the said yoke. y

7. In a light iixture, the combination of a shade holder having anopening therethrough; a yoke comprising a central part having an openingtherethrough and parts depending therefrom; an exteriorly threaded pipesection extending through the opening in the said central part and theopening in the shade holder; a collar threaded on the pipe section belowthe said yoke member and having tooth-like projections formed thereonengaging the under side ot said shade holder; the said yoke and collarhaving an interlocking engagement so as to prevent any relative turningmovement; a clamping device screwed on the said pipe section above thesaid shade holder for forring the shade holder downwardly against thesaid projections; whereby the shade holder, pipe section, collar andyoke are locked against turning movement relative to each other; a lampsocket iixedly secured to the said depending parts of the yoke; andiexible means for suspending the said fixture.

8. In a light fixture, the combination of a shade holder having anopening therethrough; a yoke comprising a central part having an openingtherethrough and parts depending therefrom; an exteriorly threaded pipesection extending through the said openings in the yoke and shadeholder; means for securing the shade. holder and yoke to the said pipesection so that the shade holder, yoke and pipe section are lockedagainst relative turning movement; a socket member; and screw threadedmeans accessible when thc shade has been removed from the shade holderfor detachably securing the said socket member to the said dependingparts of the yoke.

9. In a light fixture, the combination of a shade holder having anopening therethrough; a yoke comprising a. central part having anopening therethrough and paris depending therefrom; an exteriorlythreaded pipe section exteiuling through the opening in the said centralpart and the opening in the shade holder; 'a collar threaded on the pipesection below the said yoke ineinber and having toothlike projectionsformed thereon engaging the underside oi the said shade holder, the saidyoke and collar having an interlocking engagement to preventturning-movement relative to each other; a, clamping device threaded onthe said pipe section above the said shade holder for foreing the shadeholder downwardly against the said projections; a lamp socket formed intwo separable parts; and a ring member clamped between the separableparts of the socket and detachably secured to the freel ends of thedepending parts of the yoke.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto afiix my signature.

CHARLES P. ENGLISH.

